About St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center, Southeastern University · Hammond, Louisiana
St. Albert the Great Chapel and Catholic Student Center is a Roman Catholic campus ministry in Hammond, Louisiana, serving the students, faculty, and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Owned and operated by the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the center has served the university community for over 65 years with daily Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, retreats, and student programming. Sacramental responsibilities and pastoral care have been provided by the Order of Preachers (Dominican Friars) of the Province of St. Martin de Porres since July 1, 2024. Located across the street from Strawberry Stadium at 409 W. Dakota Street, the mid-century modern chapel is known for its stained-glass north wall and remains both a spiritual and social hub for the Catholic community on campus.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Albert the Great
- Rector
- Sacramental responsibilities: Fr. Charles "Charlie" Johnson, O.P. (Pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Hammond) and Fr. Carlos Salas, O.P. (Parochial Vicar of Holy Ghost); Center Director and Campus Minister: Taylor Bougere, MPS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Baton Rouge (Northeast Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Albert offers Southeastern students more than a chapel — it is a home away from home, with daily Mass, Reconciliation several days a week, Eucharistic Adoration, the Lion Awakening weekend retreat each semester, RCIA, men's and women's faith groups, a Catholic Student Association that meets weekly, and a "Starving Student Fridge" with free food. Located directly across from Strawberry Stadium, the center pairs on-campus convenience with a full schedule of fellowship, prayer, and devotions.
Mass times at St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center, Southeastern University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:00am-9:35am
- Sunday: 5:00pm-5:35pm
- Monday: 11:30am-12:25pm
- Monday-Thursday: 12:00pm-12:25pm
- Tuesday: 6:30pm-7:55pm
- Wednesday: 6:00pm-6:50pm (Students only)
Adoration times
- Monday: 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Tuesday: 6:30pm-8:00pm
History of St. Albert the Great Chapel and Catholic Student Center
The Catholic student center at Southeastern Louisiana College was first proposed in 1951 by the Knights of Columbus, who helped raise funds and acquire land. The complex was officially dedicated in February 1962 by Bishop Robert E. Tracy. The mid-century modern chapel, designed by architect John Desmond, featured a noted Dalle de verre stained-glass north wall and drew national attention in architectural publications when built. The Knights of Columbus–sponsored project was co-founded by Dominican friars Rev. Raymond Haddad, O.P., and Fr. Philip Dennis Brady, O.P., and the center grew historically out of a local Newman Club founded in 1937. After several years under diocesan clergy, sacramental responsibilities were returned to the Dominican Friars of the Order of Preachers (Province of St. Martin de Porres) effective July 1, 2024, with Father Charlie Johnson, O.P., and Father Carlos Salas, O.P., providing sacramental care in collaboration with the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
- Founded: Dedicated February 1962 by Bishop Robert E. Tracy
- Original proposal: 1951 by the Knights of Columbus
- Architect: John Desmond (mid-century modern style)
- Construction cost: $350,000 (~ $3.65 million in 2026 dollars)
- Capacity: 800
- Materials: Vertical Line Brick, Dalle de verre stained glass, exterior wood slats
- Newman Club roots: locally founded in 1937
Clergy, Staff, and Pastoral Care
Since July 1, 2024, sacramental responsibilities and pastoral care at St. Albert have been provided by the Order of Preachers (Dominican Friars) of the Province of St. Martin de Porres. The Dominican priests are based at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond. The center's lay staff coordinates student services, programs, retreats, and ministries and serves as the liaison with Southeastern's Catholic Student Association.
- Fr. Charles "Charlie" Johnson, O.P. — Pastor, Holy Ghost Catholic Church (sacramental care at St. Albert)
- Fr. Carlos Salas, O.P. — Parochial Vicar, Holy Ghost Catholic Church
- Fr. Cayet Mangiaracina, O.P. — Associate Pastor emeritus
- Fr. Robert Merced, O.P. — Dominican Provincial for the Southern United States
- Rev. Mariano Veliz, O.P. — Associate Pastor, Holy Ghost
- Taylor Bougere, MPS — Director & Campus Minister (staff since February 2020; Child Protection Site Coordinator)
- Brother Mike Migacz, S.C. — Assistant Campus Minister (joined 2023)
- Brynn Arriago, MA — Assistant Campus Minister (since July 2024; two-time Southeastern graduate)
- Delzavion Jackson — Facilities Manager (joined August 2024)
Faith Formation & Student Groups
Beyond Sunday liturgy, St. Albert's student center runs an extensive weekly programming schedule designed to accompany Southeastern students through every stage of their faith journey, from RCIA for those exploring Catholicism to small-group community for those already engaged.
- RCIA (Tuesdays 6:00pm-7:30pm)
- Men's Group "Frontline" (Mondays 6:30pm-7:30pm)
- Women's Group (Mondays 6:30pm-7:30pm)
- Catholic Coffee Club (Tuesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm)
- Lion Awakening Retreat (every semester; weekend; centered on the Mystical Body of Christ; $35)
- Free Student Lunch (Tuesdays 11:30am-1:15pm)
Catholic Student Association (CSA)
The Catholic Student Association (CSA) is an official Southeastern student organization open to all students, with membership free and inclusive. CSA nights on Wednesdays combine prayer, praise and worship, scripture study, service, and fun activities, and always include dinner and fellowship. CSA members also serve as liturgical ministers for daily and Sunday Masses. The organization has historical roots in the local Newman Club founded in 1937 and is represented at campus activities such as homecoming events and tailgates.
- CSA meetings: Wednesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm during the semester
- Liturgical ministry at daily and Sunday Masses
- Owns its own CSA Facebook Group
- Hosts social and service activities (game nights, parties, service projects, Messy Games)
Lion Awakening Retreat
Lion Awakening is a weekend retreat offered every semester for the past 13+ years, designed for college-aged young adults and centered on the Mystical Body of Christ. The retreat is described by the center as "an incredible weekend retreat that will change your life, plug you into life-long friendships, and start you on a journey with the Lord," with a modest cost of $35 and open sign-ups through the St. Albert website.
- Offered every semester
- Centered on the Mystical Body of Christ
- For college-aged young adults
- Cost: $35
- Contact: 985-345-7207 or by email
Facilities & Hours of Operation
The student center is two connected buildings around a central patio. The chapel building contains the chapel, auditorium, and kitchen; the main building contains offices, classrooms, and student social spaces. The chapel is open during normal hours as a quiet place of prayer, and the auditorium opens up with additional chairs for Sunday Mass. The whole interior is a smoke-free environment.
- Chapel building: chapel, auditorium, kitchen
- Main building: administrative offices, classrooms, student social spaces
- Courtyard: picnic tables and park benches; smoke-free indoors
- 1st floor: recreation room (sofas, large-screen cable TV, study/dining tables — STUDENT USE ONLY), prayer room, restrooms
- 2nd floor: quiet study area/library (4 computers with Microsoft Office and DSL/Internet), multi-purpose room, coffee/lunch room with microwave, refrigerator/freezer, icemaker
- “Starving Student Fridge”: home-cooked food always available
- Free Wi-Fi on both floors and the courtyard
- Elevator access to both student-services floors (mobility impaired)
- Hours during semester: Mon-Thu 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Summer hours: Mon-Thu 8:30 AM-2:30 PM
Visiting, Location & Accessibility
St. Albert sits at 409 W. Dakota Street in Hammond, immediately across the street from Strawberry Stadium on the Southeastern Louisiana University campus. Both student-services floors are accessible by elevator, free Wi-Fi covers the building and courtyard, and the building is open extended evening hours whenever scheduled activities are running.
- Address: 409 W. Dakota Street, Hammond, LA 70401
- Phone: (985) 345-7206
- Across the street from Strawberry Stadium
- Elevator access on both student-services floors
- Free Wi-Fi throughout building and courtyard
- Smoke-free inside; outside seating areas provided
- Extended evening hours during scheduled activities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond Haddad, O.P.
Co-founder (Dominican friar who helped start the center).
- Fr. Philip Dennis Brady, O.P.
Co-founder.
- Father Taylor Sanford
Previous chaplain and director; reassigned July 1, 2024 as pastor of St. Joseph Church, French Settlement, and St. Stephen the Martyr Church, Maurepas.